April 4, 2004

By Staff
On the road
Would somebody out there explain to this dummy the purpose of "bond attorneys" in the ecology of finance? Would somebody out there explain, in words of three syllables or less, why our supervisors had to make a trip to New York City for the purpose of getting a favorable bond rating?
As I see it, the only thing that counts in borrowing money is paying it back. If the payback is in pieces, like a mortgage or any large sum of money, the question is: Were the payments ahead of or behind time? The lender is not particularly concerned with what the borrower has to go through in order to make payments on time.
As I understand it, a bond rating is a grade of your credit record, i.e., were you ahead, on time, or late in making payments. As I understand it, a bond rating is a measure of credit-worthiness. Just as some people can go to a bank and borrow at relatively low interest because they are credit-worthy, other people are forced to borrow from the finance companies who charge them a horrible rate of interest because they are not very credit-worthy.
In this age of very low interest rates, money lenders are looking for every opportunity to park their money and get some interest in return. This is true for the credit card companies as well as banks. One would think that the money lenders would come to us rather than we go to them.
I am suspicious of anyone making a judgment on the basis of a two-hour presentation. Likely as not, the bond raters already know the credit-worthiness of Lauderdale County. If they don't know it already, then they are in the wrong business.
In this instance, I think the powers that be are sticking us with a broom handle. I suspect the supervisors took this opportunity to take a free trip.
T.L. Clayton
Meridian
A valuable asset
Junior Auxiliary of Meridian is a volunteer organization whose main focus is to benefit the children of Lauderdale County. The members of this group volunteer a considerable number of hours for each project that is undertaken.
It goes without saying that these projects would not be possible without the financial support of our corporate sponsors. Meridian business leaders have once again invested their resources in this community's most valuable asset, our children.
As sponsorship chairman, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Junior Auxiliary to thank each one of our sponsors. Their financial support is invaluable for the continuation of our chapter's work concerning our local youth; many of these boys and girls would not benefit at all from these wonderful programs if caring citizens did not take a vested interest.
It is a wonderful thing when you are able to see a child's eyes light up.
Theresa Smith
Meridian
Dressed for success
I am writing in regards to the West Lauderdale
Elementary Beauty Review held on March 27. The rules were as follows: Dressy clothes are appropriate (not formal).
What would you dress your child in? Upon arrival at the pageant, I found these children were in suits and evening gowns. My child was dressed according to the dress code and, of course, had no chance of winning. They said this had nothing to do with it, but the children not in suits did not get in the top 10.
I am not writing this because my son lost. I am writing this because of the question, "What is this teaching our children?" I think it is teaching our children that if you don't follow rules, you succeed.
I spoke with the school and the response was, "It happens every year" and they apologized. If this happens every year why hasn't something been done yet? Because no one has spoken up, that is why. I spoke with David Little and his response was that it was wrong, and agreed with me. He stated that something would be done about it, but time will tell.
I want you to think about it. If this was your child how would you feel? If you love your child you would feel the same way I do.
April Rodgers
Bailey